Article by David Suzuki with contributions from Rewilding Communities Program Manager Jode Roberts, Published by David Suzuki Foundation. September 18, 2025.
Read the full article: https://davidsuzuki.org/story/art-lights-up-our-brains-and-ignites-action/?
Excerpt:
When we think of solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises, we often imagine technologies, government policies or new infrastructure. But sometimes the most powerful tools are far older and more human: stories, songs, images and performances. Art doesn’t just decorate our world; it shapes how we see it.
Neuroscience offers evidence for this. When we encounter art — whether it’s a painting, dance, music or story — our brains engage networks tied to emotion, memory and empathy. Studies have found that aesthetic experiences activate the brain’s reward system, much like food, exercise, hobbies, spending time in nature and social connection. Experiencing art literally lights up our neural pathways, making us more open to new ideas and more likely to activate them.
That matters when it comes to rewilding — restoring ecosystems and their processes and reconnecting people with the natural world. Too often, conservation discussions rely on numbers and warnings. But facts alone don’t always move people. Art is an affecting way to bridge the gap between data and action.